The Fight: A Practical Handbook to Christian Living [Paperback]

John White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1976

There is joy & triumph in the Christian life. But the victory can come through struggle. John White knows this balance and gives us the encouragement to persevere. Here is a guide through the basic areas of Christian living we wrestle with throughout our lives: faith, prayer, temptation, evangelism, guidance, Bible study, fellowship, work. In this very personal book he offers new Christians sound first steps and older Christians refreshing insights into the struggles and the joys of freedom in Christ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press; 1 edition (July 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877847770
• ISBN-13: 978-0877847779
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John White was born in Liverpool, England, on March 5, 1924, and grew up in Manchester. After serving as a reconnaissance photographer in the Fleet Air Arms during World War II, he completed medical training at Manchester University. He later participated in a variety of short-term missions efforts (including Bible smuggling!) and captitalized on many opportunities to encourage Christians behind the Iron Curtain during the beginning of the Cold War.

On June 25, 1955, White married Laureate May O'Hara. From 1955 to 1964 he served as a medical missionary with New Tribes Mission. Later he was appointed associate general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students of Latin America.

White emigrated to Canada with his family in 1965 and later completed his residency in psychiatry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He next filled the post of associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and also served locally as pastor of Church of the Way.

He wrote 25 books as well as numerous articles and study guides. A much sought-after speaker, he lectured around the world at churches, conferences and leadership events. During his later life, White moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, helping to plant a Vineyard church there (Surrey Vineyard) and becoming involved in the larger Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

John White died in 2002, but his written ministry lives on, with over 1.5 million of his books in print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quarter century and still going strong..., November 19, 2002

By 

Daniel L Edelen (Mt. Orab, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fight: A Practical Handbook to Christian Living (Paperback)

The best recommendation one can give for John White's "The Fight" simply comes in its longevity in the marketplace. Christian books go out of print like mad, but the classic ones go on and on. The main reason for this is timelessness, and White's primer on how to start one's Christian walk is as appropriate today as it was when first released.

One of three books I recommend to every new Christian (Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and Ortiz's "Disciple" being the other two), this book is so chock full of basics that it even works as a book for people who are just beginning to seek the Lord. In "The Fight" are found the core parts of the daily Christian life (summarized here as): Prayer, Listening to God, Sharing the Faith, The Devil, Faith, One's Standing in Christ, Holiness, God's Will, Christian Excellence, and the Battle Around Us.

White's background as a psychologist comes through as many of his illustrations have a profundity that comes from understanding the foibles of humanity, while also avoiding the pitfall of framing everything within psychology's constructs rather than Christianity's (a problem with many Christian books today.) He also brings clarity to difficult issues that every man and woman struggle with in life, shining the light of Christ into even the darkest areas. His insights into topics like lust are so exemplary that I continue to use them when teaching today, since I have never found better explanations that are so human and yet so spiritually astute at the same time.

A must for any new Christian, I have routinely given people this book for a baptism gift, so useful is it for starting the journey.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Christian book in the world?, November 30, 1999

By 

junioR (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fight: A Practical Handbook to Christian Living (Paperback)

Yes, at least in my book. (Pun intended.) At least among the top all-time ten in Christian literature. A complete, well-balanced and powerful guide to the ins and outs of Christian life, this is the perfect introduction for a newborn believer (yes, do give it as a gift!) and it can make a grizzled old veteran in the wars of life (like myself) cry (real tears) and even laugh out loud (even on a public bus, once...). I've read it at least four times, maybe more, and it moves me every time. I've got three copies on my bookshelves, except when they're out on loan to others. And now that I've found I can buy it at Amazon (haven't found it in my local Christian bookstore lately), I'll start giving it away as a gift again... Especially to young people. As a gift for confirmation, for example. (I sure wish this book had been available when I was fifteen...) As to content, the book (at least in my quite early editions) is divided into 11 sections: Beginnings, Prayer, God still speaks, On being a signpost, His Infernal Majesty, Faith, Changed relationships, Guidance, Holiness, Deliverance from drudgery, and The fight. If you haven't read it, by all means do! If you have read it, buy another one and give it away!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the Christian life, April 20, 2007

By 

M. Randles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fight: A Practical Handbook to Christian Living (Paperback)

John White offers sound insights into living the Christian life. It is written for those have just made a commitment to Christ and need direction for their next steps. But I have been a believer for 25 years and found his thoughts to be helpful and refreshing. Some content is a bit out of date (e.g. his discussion of available Bible translations), but aside from such minor defects, it is a solid work. I recommend this often to people at my church.